Fäsch was a Swiss painter, illustrator, miniaturist, and portraitist, born in Basel
circa 1738 and died in Paris in 1778. Fäsch studied law but soon became a painter.
He later moved to Paris and also completed portraits in London. He was known under
a number of names including: Jean Louis Fesch and Johann Ludwig Wernhard Faesch, as
well as de Fesch, Foech, and Foesch. Fäsch is the first artist to be said with certainty
to have drawn his subjects directly from actual performance.

38 miniature drawings in graphite and watercolor. Some include additional mediums
added, such as gold paint, gouache, and possibly varnish. All images are drawn on
vellum, and mounted on board. Many drawings have an attached title page and tissue
paper barrier. Some are signed, most are not. Locations are not specified on drawings
but all are are from performances at theaters in Paris or London. Most items have
manuscript annotations on image itself and/or on title page. Drawings were found already
removed from bindings at time of cataloging; empty leather bindings have been retained
and are listed at end of finding aid.

Subjects of the drawings are actors and actresses in various roles from the Comédie-Française,
Comédie-Italienne (Paris, France), and the Drury Lane Theatre (London). Full name
of actor is supplied when known. Collection includes portraits of: François Augé,
Bellecour, Carlo Antonio Bertinazzo, Brizard, Joseph Caillot, Mlle. Doligny, David
Garrick, Marie-Thérèse Villette Laruette, Henri Louis Cain Lekain, François René Molé,
and others.